YOUR AD HERE »

Sun shines on the Bulldogs vs. Grand Valley

Andy Bockelman
Craig Daily Press
Grand Valley High School's Megan Smith
Andy Bockelman / Craig Daily Press |

CRAIG — The skies may have been gray and the field conditions may have been cold and wet, but things were bright Friday for the members of the Moffat County High School girls soccer team against the Grand Valley Cardinals.

The Bulldogs earned a big win, defeating Grand Valley, 6-1, and kept the Cardinals on their toes from the beginning.

Alex Samuelson scored the first goal in a matter of seconds for the Bulldogs, with Katia Voloshin and Delaney Baker pounding in two more near the end of a wet and windy first half.



It may or may not have had something to do with the weather growing calmer after halftime, but Grand Valley found its way through Moffat County’s defense to start the second half, with the Bulldogs’ Makenna Baker deflecting a shot in front of the goal only to lose her footing and collide with goalkeeper Hannah Walker.

The ensuing pileup allowed the Cardinals’ Megan Smith an easy score on an open net, assisted by Danielle Call. The goal pulled Grand Valley within 3-1.



Moffat County didn’t take this lightly, particularly Delaney Baker, who took every opportunity she had to rush the goal, scoring three more times for four total goals and her fourth hat trick of the season.

That brings the Moffat County senior’s total to 17 for the year, putting her back in the Class 3A/2A Western Slope League’s lead for both goals and total points (37). She is tied for fifth in goals and ranks eighth in points across the entire 3A division.

The former league leader in those categories, Grand Valley senior Kyra Chenoweth, was unable to compete Friday due to an ankle injury she suffered earlier this month in a loss to Rifle. She’s also not the only player who the Cardinals, unable to win since March, have lost to injury.

“These last two weeks have been a little rough, but they’re working through it,” Grand Valley coach Scott Gregory said. “It’s a good experience for the young girls to get out there and play a lot, although I was hoping to have them do mop-up at the end of some games instead of playing the full 80 minutes.”

The Cardinals took 10 shots, and goalie Kallista Lewis had 15 saves. Moffat County had 33 attempts, with Walker grabbing the ball 14 times.

Grand Valley is now 2-8-0 overall and 2-4-0 in league play. The Cardinals next play 7-1 and 5-0 Vail Mountain on the road Tuesday.

The Bulldogs — 5-5-0 and 4-1-0 — were scheduled to host the Gore Rangers on Saturday but, due to a schedule change, will instead meet them April 27. They will travel to Vail Christian (2-5, 0-4) Tuesday.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.